World Ocean Radio

A weekly series of five-minute audio essays on a wide range of ocean issues from science and education to advocacy and exemplary projects, brought to you by long-time host Peter Neill. Available for RSS feed, podcast, and syndicated use at no cost by community radio stations worldwide.

This week we continue the Earth Optimism Series, a 24-episode project in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution's Ocean Portal, to celebrate ocean solutions and innovative projects in the context of the Earth Optimism Summit, April 2017. In this episode, we discuss two examples of innovative practices and their relationships to each another: 1. ocean research and data collection and the connection to geothermal energy generation, and 2. offshore wind energy and its relationship to...

Mario Soares, former PM and President of Portugal, statesman, exile, political prisoner, "father of democracy", passed away last week at the age of 92. In this episode, host Peter Neill pays tribute by discussing his many political and environmental achievements as contributions to the 20th century, most notably the creation of the Independent Ocean Commission's report “The Ocean, Our Future” and the Global Water Contract, both important policy documents with requirements and recommendations to...

In this episode of World Ocean Radio we discuss politics in a changing landscape, and the ways in which global agencies advocate for, protect, and improve upon existing agreements in an age when environmental and ocean protections are under threat.

In this New Year’s episode of World Ocean Radio, host Peter Neill details a number of sacred places around the globe--on islands, along the shore, on the banks of rivers, lakes and streams--and the allies that these spaces have found in protective movements, enforcement, and international action. He outlines the relationship of biodiverse regions around the world to their sacred and scientific importance, and how conservation justifies protection while simultaneously meeting the goals of...

At each year's end, World Ocean Radio host Peter Neill reads "At The Fishhouses" by Elizabeth Bishop. This perennial favorite poem was chosen not only for its relevance for the New Year, but also because it distills years of Bishop's seaside meditations and evokes the clarity of meaning contained in personal encounters with the world ocean.
Best wishes for the New Year from the World Ocean Observatory.

This week we continue the Earth Optimism Series, a 24-episode project in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution's Ocean Portal, to address ocean solutions and innovative projects in the context of the Earth Optimism Summit, April 2017. In this episode, we discuss publications, reports, and projects which are integral to the evolution of ocean policy and science, including the newest project called the Atlas of Ocean Wealth, published in 2016 by the Nature Conservancy.

This week we continue the Earth Optimism Series, a 24-episode project in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution's Ocean Portal, to address ocean solutions and innovative projects in the context of the Earth Optimism Summit, April 2017. In this episode, host Peter Neill discusses the need for more funding and energy directed toward the vast unknown ocean, and the importance of scientific endeavor and observation. He introduces us to the General Bathymetric Chart for the Oceans (GEBCO), a...

This week we continue the Earth Optimism Series, a 24-episode project in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution's Ocean Portal, to address ocean solutions and innovative projects in the context of the Earth Optimism Summit, April 2017. In this episode, host Peter Neill talks about the revival of a once plummeting population of a spawning fish species on a river in Maine, made possible in part by conservationist action. He argues that victories for change and renewal are achievable when we...

We continue the Earth Optimism Series this week, a 24-episode project in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution's Ocean Portal, to address ocean solutions and innovative projects in the context of the Earth Optimism Summit, April 2017. In this episode, host Peter Neill sites from a recent article by William McDonough published at Nature.com entitled, “Carbon Is Not the Enemy”, which argues for a new vision for how we view the carbon cycle and for ways to redefine its value and mitigate...

This week we continue the Earth Optimism Series, a 24-episode project in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution's Ocean Portal, to address ocean solutions and innovative projects in the context of the Earth Optimism Summit, April 2017. In this episode, host Peter Neill praises the work of the Center for Biological Diversity in Oregon, a group of individuals dedicated to using the legal system to advocate for species on the verge of extinction.

President-elect Trump, a committed opponent to climate change mitigation, will likely appoint fellow deniers to key cabinet positions overseeing air, water, and other natural resources. With the U.S. presidential election now behind us, many scientists and environmentalists are asking, “What now?” In this episode of World Ocean Radio host Peter Neill encourages citizens to join voices and forces to recommit to ground-up strategies, and provides ways in which we can choose our causes, amplify...

This week we continue the Earth Optimism Series, a 24-episode project in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution's Ocean Portal, to address ocean solutions and innovative projects in the context of the Earth Optimism Summit, April 2017. In this edition we discuss some of the winners of the Movement for Change Initiative's "Lighthouse Activities"--some of most innovative examples of what people around the world are doing to address climate change and to benefit the planet.

This week we continue the Earth Optimism Series, a 24-episode project in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution's Ocean Portal, to address ocean solutions and innovative projects in the context of the Global Earth Optimism Summit to be held Earth Day Weekend in April 2017. In this edition we introduce listeners to Dr. Jonathan Foley of the California Academy of Sciences, whose insightful thoughts on global issues, conservation, and protection on land and sea provide us with a perspective...

In the 20th century, U.S. waterways had become dumping grounds for industrial, urban, and agricultural waste. Today many of these waterways are getting cleaner. In this episode of World Ocean Radio we highlight Tampa Bay, Florida, whose revival of seagrass and cleaner waters serve as an example of engagement, cooperation, determination, and leadership. What can be learned from this success as a means to meet environmental challenges and solve today’s problems?

This week we continue the Earth Optimism Series, a 24-episode project in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution's Ocean Portal to address ocean solutions and innovative projects in the context of the Global Earth Optimism Summit to be held Earth Day Weekend in April 2017. In this edition we outline projects that reflect the initiatives and dedication of people around the world confronting ocean problems with solutions and inspiration.

This week we continue the Earth Optimism Series, a 24-episode project in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution’s Ocean Portal to address ocean solutions and innovative projects in the context of the Global Earth Optimism Summit to be held Earth Day Weekend in April 2017. In this edition we discuss marine protected areas and their importance to biodiversity and to the mitigation of climate change and other destructive forces at work on the planet.